Shipping Industry Technology Learning Path – Curriculum & Templates
Print‑optimized, offline‑friendly guide with templates, KPI tracker, and sample dataset
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A concise, sequential curriculum to understand shipping economics, vessel operations, stakeholders, regulations, and the maritime technology stack. Includes printable templates (business case, integration checklist, KPI tracker) and a sample CSV dataset for hands‑on exercises. Designed for A4/Letter printing.

Tip: Use the Print button for best results (A4 or Letter). Major sections start on new pages.

Orientation & Goals

Estimated time: 1–2 hours

Learning Objectives

  • Understand program scope and expected outcomes across commercial and technical domains.
  • Build a baseline glossary (AIS, ECDIS, TCE, laytime, demurrage, CII, EEXI, MRV/DCS).
  • Draft a 6–8 week plan with milestones and outputs.

Key Concepts

  • Concept map: Cargo flows → Vessel types → Voyage cycle → Stakeholders → Regulations → Tech stack.
  • Freight market divisions: dry bulk, tankers, containers; spot vs time charter.
  • Data-first mindset for tech pilots and KPI baselines.

Exercises / Activities

  • Sketch the concept map and annotate with data exchanged at each node.
  • Create a personal learning plan and weekly cadence.
  • Assemble a working glossary to standardize terms.

Outputs / Deliverables

  • Concept map (single page).
  • Glossary (30–40 terms).
  • 6–8 week plan with section targets and deliverables.

Industry Overview

Estimated time: 4–6 hours

Learning Objectives

  • Explain shipping’s role in global trade and GDP.
  • Read freight markets: spot vs time charter; indices (BDI, Worldscale, SCFI/FBX).
  • Describe the voyage cycle: pre‑fixture → fixture → execution → post‑fixture.

Key Concepts

  • Supply/demand drivers: commodities, geopolitics, canal constraints, congestion.
  • Market cyclicality, asset values, earnings volatility (TCE and box rates).
  • Cost drivers: bunkers, port charges, time at anchorage, weather delays.

Exercises / Activities

  • Route mapping: iron ore (AUS→CHN), crude (MEG→APAC), containerized goods (APAC→US/EU).
  • Identify bottlenecks and cost drivers across each route.
  • Compare TCE vs box rate economics and sensitivity to bunker prices.

Outputs / Deliverables

  • Annotated route maps with risk/constraint notes.
  • TCE vs box rate comparison sheet with assumptions.
  • Voyage cycle checklist aligned to data capture points.

Vessel Types

Estimated time: 6–8 hours

Tankers

  • Subtypes: VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, MR; crude vs product; chemicals/parcel.
  • Ops: OCIMF/SIRE vetting, inert gas, cargo heating, cleaning & contamination controls.
  • Commercial: Worldscale, STS operations, port restrictions.

Dry Bulk

  • Subtypes: Capesize, Panamax, Supramax, Handysize.
  • Ops: hatch covers, TML and moisture, trimming, ballast/draft limits.
  • Commercial: laytime/dispatch/demurrage; port queues and congestion.

Container

  • Subtypes: feeder to ULCV; alliances and port rotations.
  • Ops: stowage planning, reefer plugs, equipment/empties, TOS interfaces.
  • KPIs: schedule reliability, slot utilization, asset turns.

Operational Risks & Tech ROI Hotspots (Comparison)

Segment Operational Risks Tech ROI Hotspots
Tankers Contamination, compatibility, SIRE/PSC findings, STS safety, heating/inert gas failures. Safety/HSQE and compliance suites, voyage optimization, vetting readiness analytics.
Dry Bulk Moisture/TML, cargo damage, hatch integrity, delays driving demurrage. Laytime/demurrage analytics, port call/JIT tools, hull/prop performance monitoring.
Container Schedule slippage, terminal constraints, reefer failures, equipment imbalances. Schedule optimization, reefer IoT, equipment tracking, TOS/DCSA data integrations.

Note: ROI areas vary with charterparty terms, bunker exposure, and network control.

Stakeholders

Estimated time: 4–6 hours

Learning Objectives

  • Identify roles: owners, operators/commercial, ship managers (technical), charterers/cargo owners.
  • Understand brokers, insurers/P&I, class/flag/port state, terminals/agents/pilots.
  • Apply decision lenses: commercial, technical, compliance, finance, people, IT/OT security.

Exercises / Output

  • Create a stakeholder map for one voyage with data exchanges and decision points.
  • List KPIs and pain points per stakeholder function.
  • Draft an influence and approval matrix for tech purchases.

Regulatory & Compliance

Estimated time: 3–4 hours

Key Concepts

  • SOLAS, MARPOL, ISM (incl. cyber risk in ISM).
  • EEXI and CII; EU MRV and IMO DCS reporting pipelines.
  • Ballast water, sulfur cap, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime.

Digital Compliance

  • Noon reports, e‑logs, audit trails, and data retention.
  • Class approvals and type approval considerations.
  • Evidence chain for emissions and voyage data.

Exercises / Activities

  • Design a minimal emissions data model linking noon reports to MRV/DCS fields.
  • Draft an audit checklist with data sources and proof artifacts.
  • Identify cyber controls to embed in ISM (aligned with IACS UR E26/E27).

Outputs / Deliverables

  • Emissions data model diagram.
  • Audit checklist and evidence plan.
  • Compliance process swimlane with responsibilities.

Technology Landscape

Estimated time: 6–8 hours

Connectivity & Data

  • VSAT, Fleet Xpress, LEO; bandwidth and redundancy planning.
  • IT vs OT segregation; data capture (engine sensors, VDR, ECDIS).
  • Standards: S‑57/S‑100, EDIFACT, DCSA for container data.

Software Categories

  • Performance optimization, voyage/chartering/post‑fixture, bunker planning.
  • PMS/CMMS, compliance (MRV/DCS/CII), HSQE/ISM, crewing/training.
  • ERP/finance, port call/JIT, AIS/market intelligence, cybersecurity.

Exercise

  • Build a simple voyage model testing speed, weather delay, and bunker price vs TCE and emissions.
  • Map required integrations (APIs/ETL) for data in/out.

Outputs

  • Tool shortlist with must‑have integrations and security posture.
  • Connectivity plan with bandwidth budgets.

Adoption & Integration

Estimated time: 5–7 hours

Buying Centers & Criteria

  • Owners/boards: ROI, capex/opex, CII impact; pilot to fleet roadmap.
  • Technical: reliability, PMS integration, spares/logistics impact.
  • Operators: TCE uplift, laytime/demurrage avoidance, workflow fit.
  • HSQE/DPA: auditability, risk reduction metrics.
  • IT/OT: security, bandwidth, IACS UR E26/E27 alignment; Crewing: usability/offline.

Adoption Path & Integration

  • Pilot → A/B monitoring → class/flag acceptance → training → rollout.
  • Checklist: data sources (noon, sensors, AIS), APIs/ETL, IAM, offline sync, bandwidth budgets, ECDIS/VDR links.
  • Metrics: fuel savings, schedule reliability, off‑hire, findings, CII, CO2e per ton‑mile, crew adoption.

Business Case & Change Mgmt

Estimated time: 4–6 hours

Structure

  • Problem → baseline → pilot → data plan → quantified benefits → risks → rollout.
  • Financials: assumptions, capex, opex, benefits, payback.

Change & Procurement

  • Stakeholder mapping, onboard champions, SOP updates, training content.
  • Procurement/legal: cyber/data clauses, SLAs, class/flag approvals, termination/data export.

Outputs

  • 1‑page business case per tool with KPI tree.
  • Change management plan and communications pack.

Case Studies & Trends

Estimated time: 6–8 hours

Cyber Resilience

  • Context: carrier incident; network segmentation and OT isolation gaps.
  • Tech: IAM, endpoint, backups, incident response, SIEM.
  • Outcomes: improved MTTR, audit closure; Risks: legacy OT.

Reefer & Asset IoT

  • Context: remote reefer monitoring.
  • Tech: sensors, gateways, platform; DCSA alignment.
  • Outcomes: fewer claims; Risks: data ownership, lock‑in.

Weather Routing & CII

  • Context: route optimization for 2–5% fuel savings.
  • Tech: metocean, digital twins, clauses for JIT arrival.
  • Outcomes: CII improvement; Risks: arrival windows.

LEO Connectivity

  • Context: bandwidth upgrades for ops and crew welfare.
  • Tech: LEO with VSAT fallback; SD‑WAN at sea.
  • Outcomes: more data, training; Risks: cost, coverage.

Port Call / JIT Arrival

  • Context: berth visibility reduces anchorage time.
  • Tech: port community systems, ETA APIs.
  • Outcomes: emissions down; Risks: data sharing & trust.

Alt Fuels & Retrofits

  • Context: EEXI/CII pressures accelerate retrofits.
  • Tech: ESDs, hull/prop, voyage optimization; fuel pathways.
  • Outcomes: compliance cushion; Risks: asset stranding.

Capstone Project

Estimated time: 1–2 weeks

Scenario & Deliverables

  • Mid‑size owner targets 3% fuel reduction and compliant emissions reporting within 12 months.
  • Deliver: stakeholder map, data architecture, 5‑vessel pilot, KPI baselines, training/change plan.
  • Include: cyber architecture, 18‑month roadmap, risk register aligned to class/flag.

Continuous Learning System

Estimated time: ongoing

Signals to Track

  • Regulatory timelines (IMO GHG, EU ETS, FuelEU milestones).
  • Freight indices and orderbook dynamics.
  • Class society technical papers; port digitalization projects.

Practices

  • Vendor shortlists; quarterly pilots and benchmarks.
  • Alerts for CII/ETS, LEO maritime, JIT arrival, standards (EDIFACT/DCSA).
  • Maintain a tech radar (adopt/trial/assess/hold).

Templates

Business Case Template

Baseline KPIs

KPICurrentSourceNotes

Financials

Risks & Mitigations

RiskImpactLikelihoodMitigation

Security & Compliance Checklist

Integration Checklist Template

Data Mapping

SourceFieldTypeUnitsFrequencyDestinationAPI/Protocol

Connectivity & Onboard Architecture

Security & Quality

Testing & Rollout

KPI Tracker

Variance is auto‑calculated as Actual − Target. Use per‑row directionality to color results. Summary metrics derive from rows whose KPI includes “Fuel” or “CO2e”.

Avg Fuel Δ (Actual−Target): —
Estimated CO2e Δ (Actual−Target): —
% KPIs On Target: —
Tip: Mark cost/emissions rows as “Lower is Better”; availability/performance as “Higher is Better”.
Date Vessel Voyage Category KPI Baseline Target Actual Variance Dir. Data Source Confidence Owner Next Action Due Date Notes Delete

Sample Dataset

Copy the CSV below or use the Download button. Import into Excel/Google Sheets (File → Import → Upload) and use it for the voyage model or to populate KPIs.

date,vessel_name,imo,segment,voyage_id,leg,lat,lon,speed_kn,distance_nm,fuel_type,fuel_consumed_mt,fuel_price_usd_mt,cargo_tonnes,ballast,eca_hours,weather_delay_h,waiting_anchorage_h,co2e_mt,tce_usd_day,cii_rating_est
2025-07-01,MV Ocean Star,9876543,Dry Bulk - Panamax,OS-24A,SEA->CJK,17.8,122.3,12.5,302,IFO380,28.6,520,68000,false,6,2,0,89.0,21850,B
2025-07-02,MV Ocean Star,9876543,Dry Bulk - Panamax,OS-24A,SEA->CJK,19.1,124.7,12.2,295,IFO380,27.9,520,68000,false,4,0,3,86.9,22110,B
2025-07-03,MV Ocean Star,9876543,Dry Bulk - Panamax,OS-24A,SEA->CJK,20.5,127.1,11.8,288,IFO380,27.1,520,68000,false,4,1,0,85.0,21930,B
2025-07-04,MV Ocean Star,9876543,Dry Bulk - Panamax,OS-24A,SEA->CJK,22.0,129.6,11.0,270,IFO380,26.3,520,68000,false,3,0,1,82.1,22400,B
2025-07-05,MV Ocean Star,9876543,Dry Bulk - Panamax,OS-24A,SEA->CJK,23.4,131.9,10.8,265,IFO380,25.9,520,68000,false,2,0,0,81.4,22620,B
2025-07-01,MT Blue Horizon,9765432,Tanker - MR,BH-88Q,SIN->MUM,1.3,103.8,13.0,315,VLSFO,24.2,600,34000,true,8,0,0,76.1,24500,A
2025-07-02,MT Blue Horizon,9765432,Tanker - MR,BH-88Q,SIN->MUM,2.8,101.2,12.7,308,VLSFO,23.9,600,34000,true,6,0,0,75.3,24320,A
2025-07-03,MT Blue Horizon,9765432,Tanker - MR,BH-88Q,SIN->MUM,4.1,99.6,12.4,300,VLSFO,23.3,600,34000,true,4,1,0,73.8,24710,A
2025-07-04,MT Blue Horizon,9765432,Tanker - MR,BH-88Q,SIN->MUM,5.6,98.1,11.9,292,VLSFO,22.7,600,34000,true,4,0,2,72.1,24940,A
2025-07-05,MT Blue Horizon,9765432,Tanker - MR,BH-88Q,SIN->MUM,7.0,96.5,11.5,284,VLSFO,22.1,600,34000,true,3,0,0,70.9,25110,A

Import hints: In Sheets use File → Import → Upload; ensure numeric fields parse as numbers. In Excel use Data → From Text/CSV.

Glossary

TermDefinition
AISAutomatic Identification System for vessel tracking and collision avoidance.
ECDISElectronic Chart Display and Information System used for navigation.
VDRVoyage Data Recorder; records navigational and sensor data.
TCETime Charter Equivalent; normalized earnings metric for voyage performance.
LaytimeAgreed loading/unloading time; exceeding it may incur demurrage.
DemurrageCharge for exceeding allowed laytime under a charterparty.
CIICarbon Intensity Indicator; operational efficiency rating for ships.
EEXIEnergy Efficiency Existing Ship Index; design efficiency requirement.
MRVEU Monitoring, Reporting, Verification of CO2 emissions.
DCSIMO Data Collection System for fuel consumption and distance.
EU ETSEU Emissions Trading System; cap-and-trade for shipping emissions.
FuelEUFuelEU Maritime; mandates GHG intensity reductions in marine fuels.
WorldscaleBenchmark freight rate system for tanker charters.
BDIBaltic Dry Index; indicator of dry bulk freight market.
SCFIShanghai Containerized Freight Index; container freight benchmark.
FBXFreightos Baltic Index; container freight rate index.
OCIMFOil Companies International Marine Forum; tanker vetting standards.
SIREShip Inspection Report Programme; tanker inspection regime.
PSCPort State Control; inspections to verify compliance.
P&IProtection & Indemnity insurance; third‑party liability cover.
ClassClassification society that sets and verifies technical standards.
FlagFlag state under which a vessel is registered.
Port StateJurisdiction and controls exercised by a port authority.
PMSPlanned Maintenance System for equipment upkeep.
CMMSComputerized Maintenance Management System.
HSQEHealth, Safety, Quality, Environment management.
JIT ArrivalJust‑in‑time arrival to reduce anchorage time and emissions.
VSATVery Small Aperture Terminal; maritime satellite communications.
LEOLow Earth Orbit satellite connectivity for higher bandwidth/low latency.
IACS UR E26/E27Unified Requirements for cyber resilience of ships and onboard systems.
STSShip‑to‑Ship transfer operations, common in tankers.
TMLTransportable Moisture Limit; critical for safe carriage of bulk cargoes.
ULCVUltra Large Container Vessel; largest container ship class.
ReeferRefrigerated container for perishable cargo.
EDI/EDIFACTElectronic data interchange standards for trade messages.
DCSADigital Container Shipping Association; data and process standards.
Noon ReportDaily vessel report including position, speed, consumption.
CharterpartyContract between shipowner and charterer for employment of a vessel.